Switzerland faces many challenges in its plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions while also phasing out its use of nuclear power, the International Energy Agency said after reviewing the country's energy policy.

Switzerland's federal government has launched a three-month long public consultation on the country's proposed program for the final disposal of its nuclear waste.

Switzerland's decision not to build any new nuclear generating capacity will cost the country some CHF 30 billion ($33 billion) up to 2050, according to the country's Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications.

The operator of the Mühleberg nuclear power plant in Switzerland, BKW FMB Energy, has lodged an appeal against a recent court ruling that threatens the normal regulatory process of licence extension.

A Swiss court has ruled that the Mühleberg nuclear power plant can only operate until mid-2013 in an extraordinary move that overturns a 2009 decision by the environment ministry to issue an unlimited-duration operating licence.

Switzerland will face costs of CHF 20.654 billion ($22.455 billion) to close down and decommission its nuclear power plants according to newly released figures. The amount is 10% higher than earlier projections.